This Weekend in Stanly County

Shady woods, rolling hills and serene lakes belie the activity that’s available for all ages here in Stanly County. That’s not to say one can’t enjoy the peace and quiet of our beautiful county with a gentle hike, a lazy canoe trip or a quiet moment with a good book on a porch swing. But we also offer games for seniors, creative art classes, dancing, running and biking. Here you can create your own level of activity.

For seniors the Uwharrie Senior Games and Silver Arts continue at the Stanly County senior Center through May 17, 2012. Participation is free for first timers and $12 for returnees. You can participate in a multitude of sports as varied as Golf, Bocce, Softball, Swimming and Cornhole. You can also enter the Silver Arts with heritage, visual and literary categories available.

Creativity knows no bounds at the Art of the Vine event on Thursday evening at the Falling Rivers Gallery. From 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm you are invited to bring your own wine or beverage, kick back with some cool tunes and let your inner artist out to play. During this 2 hour session, you will create your very own abstract painting on a 16” x 20” canvas. Led by professional artist Tatyana Buck, you will follow her steps and create an original work of art. There is no good or bad, pass or fail. This is stress free creative entertainment with a take-home at the end of the evening. The price is $35 and the event is for adults only. Art supplies are included.

Saturday is Farmer’s Market day at the downtown Albemarle Market Station. Crops are coming in and there is more and more fresh local produce to choose from. There a flowers, plants and crafts to pick from as well as all those delicious fresh veggies. Bring you basket and fill it to the rim.

Saturday and Sunday brings a unique event to the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center. The Platinum National Dance Competition is a new kind of regional competition with input from students, parents and studio owners alike. Each dancer is center-stage. Numbers are showcased in a poppin’ production. Parents participate and enjoy the entertainment. Studio owners are paramount and they are helped to give their students and their parents an experience to come back to. At Platinum competitions, everyone shines. From clogging to jazz, ballet to African, hip hop to folk, modern to traditional, all dancers are invited to come out and show their stuff in this all-inclusive showcase.

Saturday also sees the 8^th Annual Beach Blast 5K. The event is sponsored by Vac and Dash. Downtown Albemarle is the place and you will be hard pressed to find a better 5K. Organized by the Uwharrie Running Club, this race has a fast downhill and flat finish, great goodie bags, great family atmosphere. This year the race will be capped off at 500 runners. For more information please call 704.983.3274 or visit www.vacanddash.com.

And now for a race of another kind this Saturday: The ‘Bikers Uniting for a Cure’ Relay for Life will be hosted by the Uwharrie Region Chapter of the Concerned Bikers Association. This will be the first annual “Bikers Uniting for a Cure” Relay for Life ride, with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society. Registration for the ride begins at 10:00am at BRH Powersports at 2707 US 52 Hwy N, Albemarle. The ride will start at 11:30am. Cost for the ride is a $15.00 donation for each bike and $5.00 donation for each rider. It will be approximately a 77 mile ride through Stanly County with several stops to draw the poker hands and stretch legs and get refreshed. At the last stop of the ride sponsors will be giving out numerous prizes for various things including best and worse poker hand.

Whether you want to be super active, quietly creative or just plain laid back, here in Stanly County the choice is yours.